SmartCask – A New Era of Cask Transparency
CCL Label and Checkpoint Systems—both divisions of CCL Industries—are developing SmartCask™ to enable secure digital cask management for Scotch whisky.
In response to rising demands for trust, transparency and verified ownership in Scotch whisky, CCL Label is developing SmartCask™, a next-generation identification and data platform designed to support a more secure and transparent future for whisky cask management.
The solution is being developed together with Checkpoint Systems—both divisions of CCL Industries—combining packaging and identification expertise with connected traceability technology.
Recent public attention on fraud and misrepresentation in cask investment schemes has intensified calls across the sector for stronger safeguards, digital transparency and verified ownership records. SmartCask™ is designed to help address these vulnerabilities by linking each physical cask to a persistent, verifiable digital identity—supporting auditability and confidence across the cask lifecycle.
A new standard for transparency and traceability
SmartCask™ integrates robust, long-life data chips directly onto individual casks, creating a unique digital identity designed to endure for decades. Under standard storage conditions, the technology is engineered to last up to 30 years. When stored within a temperature range of -20°C to +40°C, lifespans of up to 50 years are possible.
Each chip is intended to act as a digital “passport,” securely storing verifiable information such as cask origin, contents, ownership and movement—helping distilleries, warehouses and brand owners authenticate and audit key lifecycle events from filling through maturation and beyond.
Addressing industry-wide challenges at scale
With more than 22 million whisky casks in storage across Scotland, limited traceability and fragmented recordkeeping can create vulnerabilities—particularly when ownership changes hands or data is distributed across multiple stakeholders. SmartCask™ brings hardware, software and structured data management together in a scalable ecosystem to support clearer oversight of cask inventories and stronger chain-of-custody assurance.
SmartCask™ is also designed to align with emerging digital passport approaches by providing a foundation for durable identity, consistent lifecycle records and reliable ownership verification—capabilities increasingly essential for protecting trust in premium spirits.
Built for endurance. Designed for confidence.
Engineered for long-term reliability, SmartCask™ is designed to maintain data integrity across the full lifespan of a whisky cask. Combined with advanced tracking and data management software, the platform supports a transition from paper-based processes toward a digital, tamper-resistant system—improving transparency, governance and operational control.
A collaborative path forward
CCL Label and Checkpoint Systems will work with industry stakeholders—including the Scotch Whisky Association and leading distillers—to explore how SmartCask™ can contribute to a safer, more transparent cask ecosystem. The objective is clear: help protect one of Scotland’s most valuable exports and preserve the authenticity that defines it.
About CCL Label
CCL Label is a global leader in specialty labels and packaging, serving industries such as food & beverage, healthcare, and personal care. With 50+ years of experience, the company delivers pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, in-mould labels (IML), RFID-enabled solutions, and sustainable packaging technologies. CCL Label is a division of CCL Industries Inc., headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
About Checkpoint Systems
Checkpoint Systems is a division of CCL Industries and a leading provider of RFID and connected solutions that help brands and businesses improve visibility, traceability and asset integrity across supply chains.